Extended house searching and credit checks (approval, financial, property, bank)

[whatsgoingon4]

I have been looking for a house for a year and a half. I tried to apply for a mortgage and was approved by my bank about a year ago. Right now I have an offer on a short sale. Bank accepted the offer and then denied short sale, so we tried again. Otherwise, I'm not seeing much on the market. Prices all over the place and can't find anything I'm willing to buy.

My realtor told me that I need to have the bank update my information in case the short sale is approved or I find a property. They will want to do a credit check I know. But I suspect the chances of finding anything within the approval window of time are low. I don't want to keep having more credit checks lowering my scores, but I want to be ready if I find something, so what is best?

[ncole1]

Did you have a pre-approval before submitting your offer to buy the short sale?

[whatsgoingon4]

Yes, and the bank counter-offered, so I made an offer of their counter. Then it seemed everything was moving along, albeit at a snail's pace. Then we gt to the end of the year and they said if I extended once more we could probably close. Then after that they denied the sale, because of the seller's financial situation. My agent suggested we try again, and supposedly things are being reviewed.